Adrian Belew plays guitar so effortlessly you could be mistaken for thinking that the instrument was just part of his body. The sounds this one man can make with one instrument are just magical.
It was no wonder Frank Zappa, David Bowie and Talking Heads wanted him in their bands. Belew has a signature sound that is readily identifiable in any of the bands he has played with but comes alive in his own shows.
To see the Adrian Belew Power Trio in the intimate environs of Bird’s Basement in Melbourne was a rare privilege.
Belew’s power trio includes Julie Slick on bass and Tobias Ralph on drums, both very much his junior. Julie was once a student at the Paul Green School of Rock when Adrian discovered her and her brother Eric. Tobias replaced Eric around 2010.
The Australian shows are exclusive to Bird’s Basement. Adrian has created a setlist deep in King Crimson cuts.
There is also plenty of solo material, opening with the Young Lions album (which featured David Bowie). Later in the show he paid tribute to Bowie with a song he originally played on ‘Boys Keep Swinging’.
Adrian Belew is at Birds Basement in Melbourne until June 18. These are his ONLY Australian shows.
Adrian Belew setlist
Men in Helicopters (from Young Lions, 1990)
Young Lions (from Young Lions, 1990)
Medley:
– Pretty Pink Rose (from Young Lions, 1990)
– VentureLand (from Flux by belew Vol 1, 2016)
– Big Electric Cat (from Lost Rhino, 1982)
– d2 (from E, 2009)
One Time (from King Crimson, THRAK, 1995)
Dinosaur (from King Crimson, THRAK, 1995)
Heartbeat (from King Crimson, Beat, 1982)
Writing on the Wall (from Side One, 2005)
Frame by Frame (from Discipline, 1981)
Beat Box Guitar (from Side One, 2005)
Three of a Perfect Pair (from King Crimson, Three The Perfect Pair, 1984)
b3 (from E, 2009)
Neurotica (from King Crimson, Beat, 1982)
Walking on Air (from King Crimson, THRAK, 1995)
Ampersand (from Side One, 2005)
Futurevision (from Here, 1994)
Boys Keep Swinging (from David Bowie, Lodger, 197
Of Bow and Drum (from Op Zop Too Wah, 1996)
Elephant Talk (from King Crimson, Discipline, 1981)
Thela Hun Ginjeet (from King Crimson, Discipline, 1981)
e (from E, 2009)
